The Orlando Sentinel is reporting that Bolden and Garver are now in charge. I knew that there was a committee vote scheduled for today, but didn’t know that it would make it through the full Senate. Take the story for what it’s worth, but I first heard of it via both NSS and the Commercial Spaceflight Federation. Looks like a done deal.
[Update a while later]
It happened fast because it was by unanimous consent (i.e., no Senators objected).
Looks like Administrator Bolden may have his hands full his first day on the job.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/16/science/space/16shuttle.html?_r=1&hpw
July 16, 2009
Launching of Shuttle Is Marred by Falling Debris
By KENNETH CHANG
Hopefully the evaluation will show no significant damage to the thermal protection system.
I wonder if the length of time it was on the pad, combined with the many fuel cycles for the ET, played a role.